How to use "in that regard"

What Does "in that regard" Mean?

• Grammatical function: It signals a connection to something previously mentioned, acting as a discourse marker that indicates relevance or continuation of a specific aspect of the preceding statement. It indicates a focus on a particular aspect or feature already introduced.
• Typical sentence position: Initial, medial, or final.
• Register: Neutral to formal.

How to Use It

• Syntactic patterns: It's commonly followed by a clause that elaborates on or relates to the previously mentioned aspect. It can be preceded by a complete sentence or a clause that introduces the context.
• Punctuation rules: When used at the beginning of a sentence, it is typically followed by a comma. When used mid-sentence, it is usually set off by commas (parenthetical use). When used at the end of a sentence, a comma typically precedes it.
• Grammatical flexibility: It can start a sentence, be moved to the middle or end, and is not typically negated directly (though the statement it introduces can be negated).
• What sounds unnatural or incorrect: Using it in contexts where there's no clear preceding reference point. Overusing it can also make writing sound stilted or overly formal.

Real-World Examples

These examples are sourced from in that regard on Ludwig.guru.

"In that regard, they succeeded." — The New York Times

"Our work in that regard is ongoing." — The New York Times

"They were hardly alone in that regard." — The New York Times

"Shaun Edwards really helped in that regard"." — Independent

"What are your expectations in that regard?" — Yale University

Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/in+that+regard

Similar Phrases and Alternatives

Phrase	Context
in that respect	Very similar meaning, but often used when focusing on a specific characteristic or feature.
regarding that	Slightly less formal, often used to introduce a question or statement about the previously mentioned topic.
in relation to that	More formal, emphasizes the connection or relationship between the current statement and the previous one.
on that point	Used to focus on a specific argument or detail.
with respect to that	More formal and emphatic; often used in legal or official contexts.
concerning that	Similar to 'regarding that', but can sound slightly more formal.
in terms of that	Specifies the particular criteria or viewpoint being considered.

Common Mistakes

• Using it without a clear antecedent or reference point in the preceding text.
• Omitting the comma when it's used as an introductory phrase.
• A common mistake is using it interchangeably with "with regard to" in contexts where the latter is more appropriate or sounds more natural, particularly when introducing a topic.

Quick-Reference Summary

Expression	Function	Register	Typical Position
in that regard	Connective, referring to a previously mentioned aspect	Neutral to Formal	Initial, medial, or final

FAQs

Where can "in that regard" be placed within a sentence?

"In that regard" is versatile and can appear at the beginning (followed by a comma), in the middle (usually set off by commas), or at the end of a sentence (preceded by a comma). Its placement often depends on the desired emphasis and flow of the sentence.

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How does "in that regard" differ from "with regard to"?

While both connect to a previous topic, "in that regard" usually refers back to a specific aspect already discussed, whereas "with regard to" is often used to introduce a new topic or aspect. Thus, they are not always interchangeable.

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How can I avoid misusing "in that regard"?

To avoid misusing it, ensure there is a clear, specific reference point in the preceding text. A common mistake is using it interchangeably with "with regard to" when "with regard to" would sound more natural, especially when introducing a topic.